John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Government needs to spell out clearly what it will do to intervene.

One other intervention is required with regard to Irish Water and small businesses. The procurement process for Departments, including the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, is not working for small businesses. I hear no discussion about that or about rates.

I have one request for the new Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, who is responsible for the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. He should extend the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General to the end spend of taxpayers' money. The Minister, Deputy Harris, knows what this means. I ask local government to be included within that remit also.

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